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Chapter 9: Ashes

Penulis: Tassel
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-11-16 05:44:28

 

FAITH

I could feel my heart sink as I stared at the "On Sale" placard swinging in the wind. The words seemed to blur in front of my eyes, the finality of it all hitting me in waves. 

I had barely even processed the dread creeping up my spine when I heard the front door creak open.

I ran towards the house, my breath sharp, my mind racing. The world around me felt suspended, like I was caught in a storm and the only thing I could do was hold on and wait for it to pass.

But the storm had already arrived.

When I walked in, I froze in the doorway, my heart skipping a beat when I saw an unfamiliar figure inside.

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  • Trapped As The Billionaire’s Surrogate   Chapter 10: A New Mask

    FAITHIt had been a month since I left that town behind. A month since I set fire to everything I knew—every tie, every memory.Now, I was in Iowa. The place where no one knew me, where the ghosts of my past didn’t haunt the streets. It was quiet. Too quiet. But it was better than the alternative.I was working at a small diner. The kind of place you didn’t remember unless you needed to. It wasn’t anything special—just a bunch of grease, some old men chatting about nothing important, and a few tired faces behind the counter.A monotonous rhythm I’d quickly grown accustomed to.Wake up, clock in, work through the day, c

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-17
  • Trapped As The Billionaire’s Surrogate    Chapter 11: A World I Didn’t Plan 

    FAITHThis had to be a joke.The air in the room felt too thick, too heavy. My chest was tightening, my heart hammering like it was trying to break free of its cage.Pregnant.I kept replaying the doctor’s words in my head, trying to make sense of them, but it was like a puzzle with a thousand pieces scattered across the floor. Nothing fits together. I had no idea how this had happened.I tried to think. I tried to run through every moment, every possible slip-up. My mind kept racing back to that time, the chaotic mess that was my life when my mom died. The funeral, the confusion, the numbness. And in the middle of all of that, I had stopped thinking about anything else.I didn’t take birth control pills the first few days after having sex with Blaze.The realization hit me like a slap to the face, and I cursed myself under my breath. How could I have been so careless? How could I have let this happen? I felt sick, not just from the shock of the news, but from the weight of my own

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-18
  • Trapped As The Billionaire’s Surrogate   Chapter 12: Taking Flight 

    FAITHThe air was thick with tension as I stepped into the private jet, my feet feeling heavier with every step. Jared followed behind me quietly, guiding me through the sleek, polished cabin. His steps were measured, quick, but I couldn’t help but feel the weight of his presence pressing down on me. As much as I tried to focus on the luxurious surroundings, the throbbing ache in my head and the heavy reality of what I was about to do made it impossible to enjoy any of it.The interior of the jet was immaculate. Plush leather seats, a glossy wood paneling, and soft lighting that somehow made everything seem surreal. A far cry from the cramped locker rooms and dive diners I’d left behind.I let out a long, tired breath as Jared stepped aside to leave me alone. His parting words were as sterile as ever: “I will leave you two to talk. Let me know if you need anything.”I didn’t have the energy to acknowledge him. Instead, my eyes drifted to the figure waiting at the far end of the cabi

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-24
  • Trapped As The Billionaire’s Surrogate   Chapter 13: Terms and Conditions 

    FAITHI looked up, meeting Blaze’s gaze. The softness was gone, replaced by the shrewd, calculating look.And in that moment, I was reminded of why I was here. This wasn’t a fairy tale, and Blaze wasn’t some knight in shining armor. He was a billionaire, a businessman who probably saw this child as nothing more than an investment—a future asset he’d already started to protect.Still, I steeled myself, sitting up straighter, meeting his gaze head-on. “Fine. Let’s talk.”He leaned forward, fingers laced together, studying me with that intense gaze that seemed to see straight through every defense I tried to put up.

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  • Trapped As The Billionaire’s Surrogate   Chapter 14: Mansion Of Shadows?

    FAITHThe car rolled to a slow stop, the hum of the engine fading as I stared out the window, my breath catching in my throat. The sprawling mansion before me looked like something out of a storybook—or maybe a gothic novel.A sprawling estate stretched before me, its towering structure made of dark stone, the kind that whispered secrets of old money and hidden skeletons. Ivy crept up the walls, clinging to the cold exterior like it was trying to reclaim the building. The windows were tall, framed in black, with sheer curtains billowing faintly behind the glass. Everything about it screamed wealth, but it didn’t feel welcoming. It felt… imposing.My stomach twisted.I stepped ou

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  • Trapped As The Billionaire’s Surrogate   Chapter 15: List of Expectations 

    FAITHThe mansion stretched endlessly, a labyrinth of wealth and grandeur that I should have been amazed by. At first, I had been, marveling at the towering ceilings, the glint of sunlight on marble floors, and the luxurious drapes that framed windows overlooking sprawling gardens. But as Jessica led me further through the maze of opulence, that sense of awe quickly faded.There was something about Jessica. Her warmth and effusive energy had seemed genuine at first, almost comforting in a world where I was a stranger. But now, there was a sharp edge beneath her smile, a calculation in the way she watched me as if I were some prized possession she’d won at an auction.“Isn’t it just divine?” Jessica exclaimed, gesturing to

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  • Trapped As The Billionaire’s Surrogate   Chapter 16: Cold Mornings?

    FAITHI looked at Blaze, trying to keep my expression neutral. “Oh… I see,” I said, my voice soft but steady.He arched an eyebrow, his gaze sharp and unyielding. “Any more questions?”I hesitated. The truth was, I did have questions—ones that danced dangerously close to crossing professional boundaries. Questions about the tone in his voice earlier, the brief flicker of something in his eyes that seemed... personal. But I swallowed them down, biting the inside of my cheek to stop myself from speaking.“I do,” I admitted after a pause, “but I don’t think they’d be appropriate to ask.” I tried to infuse a hint of lightness into my tone, hoping it would deflect attention from the awkwardness I suddenly felt.His lips twitched, the ghost of a smirk tugging at the corners. “I’m glad you have that common sense.”And just like that, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing faintly as the distance between us grew.For a moment, I just stood there, staring after him, a mix of emotions

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-23
  • Trapped As The Billionaire’s Surrogate   Chapter 17: Don’t Own You

    FAITHI walked into the dining room, the soft murmur of voices instantly drawing my attention. The table was grand and stretched far, with elegant place settings and an array of delicious-smelling dishes. My stomach churned, not from hunger, but from the nervousness bubbling inside me.As I stepped further into the room, I noticed faces I hadn’t seen before. Blaze, who had been seated at the head of the table, noticed me immediately. A warm, reassuring smile spread across his face as he rose from his chair and walked toward me. My heart, already unsteady from anxiety, skipped a beat.“Hey, Faith,” Blaze said softly, his voice carrying a hint of warmth that calmed my frayed nerves. He reached for my hand, his touch firm yet gentle. “Come, let me introduce you to everyone.”I nodded, gripping his hand like a lifeline as he led me to the table. All eyes turned toward us, and I felt a rush of heat rise to my cheeks. Blaze’s presence beside me, though reassuring, didn’t entirely erase th

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-23

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  • Trapped As The Billionaire’s Surrogate   Chapter 143: For Eternity

    BLAZEOne moment, I was watching Faith fade before my eyes, blood pooling beneath her, and the next, I was being forced out of the operating room, my hands still stained with her blood. The cold, sterile hallway was too bright, too silent, and yet it felt like the walls were closing in on me.My shoulder throbbed with every frantic breath I took, but I barely noticed. The only thing I could hear was the sound of my own pulse roaring in my ears, the memory of Faith’s weakened voice haunting me."Blaze, I—I can’t—"My hands curled into fists as I swallowed back the suffocating terror clawing at my throat.And then I heard hurried footsteps.“Blaze!” My mother’s voice rang out before I even saw her. She rushed toward me, her expensive heels clicking sharply against the floor, her face filled with a rare look of concern. My grandfather followed close behind, his ever-imposing presence looming as he took me in. “Are the babies alright?”I nodded stiffly, my voice hoarse. “Yeah. They’re… th

  • Trapped As The Billionaire’s Surrogate   Chapter 142: Slipping Away 

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  • Trapped As The Billionaire’s Surrogate   Chapter 141: Foreboding Feelings

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  • Trapped As The Billionaire’s Surrogate   Chapter 140: Faith-Related Crisis

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  • Trapped As The Billionaire’s Surrogate   Chapter 139: Planning and Fighting

    FAITHAs I lay back on my bed, still on the call with Mia and Reagan, a gentle knock came from my door."Come in," I called out and sat up, expecting one of the housemaids.Instead, it was Blaze.He stepped inside, shutting the door behind him, his sharp, assessing eyes landing on me before softening just slightly. Without a word, he walked over, slipping his arms around my waist from behind. His chin rested against my shoulder as he buried his face in my neck, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine.I tried to focus on the call, clearing my throat. "Listen, you guys can't come," I said, my voice firm. "They won’t allow it."Blaze hummed, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss against my neck. "What are you talking about?" he murmured against my skin.I bit my lip, trying to ignore the way his lips were brushing dangerously close to a sensitive spot. "My friends… they want to come over to plan my baby shower.""So invite them," he said casually.I scoffed. "Are you kidding? Your mom,

  • Trapped As The Billionaire’s Surrogate   Chapter 138: Baby Shower?

    FAITHFour months had passed, and yet, it still felt surreal—the life growing inside me, the late-night whispers, the stolen moments behind closed doors. But here we were, sitting at the long dining table, surrounded by family, acting like nothing had changed.The clinking of utensils and the occasional rustle of newspapers were the only sounds filling the silence. Breakfasts at the Weston estate were always like this—structured, quiet, disciplined. No unnecessary chatter. Everyone ate with precision, absorbed in their own thoughts.I sipped my juice, eyes darting toward Blaze, who sat across from me, seemingly unbothered, but I knew better. His fingers tapped rhythmically against his coffee cup, a habit I had come to recognize whenever he was deep in thought.Then, Grandfather cleared his throat. A simple gesture, yet it was enough to command everyone’s attention.“I’ve heard something about you two,” he started, his deep voice measured. He placed his utensils down with a quiet clink

  • Trapped As The Billionaire’s Surrogate   Chapter 137: Ownership Taken

    FAITHThe city at night was different. The same streets I walked every day, the same buildings, the same sky—but they all looked softer now, bathed in golden lamplight and the occasional neon glow. I never realized how beautiful our city was, never took the time to simply breathe it in. Life had always been a rush, a never-ending list of tasks. But tonight? Tonight, I was finally just here.Blaze walked beside me, his hands tucked into the pocket of his hoodie, his expression thoughtful as he took in our surroundings. "Strange," he murmured."What is?" I asked, glancing up at him."I’ve only ever seen these streets from my car window. Never like this." He exhaled, almost amused. "It felt like a different world. A distant one."I smiled. "Isn’t it weird? We’ve lived here our whole lives, yet we’re seeing it properly for the first time. It’s funny how different we are... and yet, still the same."Blaze hummed in agreement before sighing dramatically. "Even so, I stand by the fact that s

  • Trapped As The Billionaire’s Surrogate   Chapter 136: Most Expensive

    FAITHThe sun was setting as we pulled up to the DIY Jewelry Making shop. I could already feel the excitement bubbling up inside me. I’d always wanted to try my hand at making jewelry, and now that I was finally here, I was practically bouncing in my seat. Blaze, on the other hand, looked calm as ever, but I could see the slight curiosity in his eyes.“So,” I said, turning to him with a grin, “we’re really doing this. Jewelry making. How do you feel about getting creative with some shiny things?”He glanced at me, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “I’m just here to keep you company, Faith. But I have to admit, I’m curious to see how this goes.”I beamed at him, feeling giddy. "I’m so excited! I’ve always wanted to do this. Imagine, I could make us matching necklaces, or better yet, something with a personal touch. It’ll be fun, I promise."We got out of the car and made our way inside. The moment we entered the store, I was greeted by the sweet scent of lavender and van

  • Trapped As The Billionaire’s Surrogate   Chapter 135: Matching Clothes

    FAITHThe lunch was nothing short of delightful—surprisingly so, considering I had dragged Blaze out of his busy schedule for an impromptu date. But there we were, sitting across from each other at a cozy little bistro, the dim lighting setting the perfect mood for some easy conversation.Blaze leaned back in his chair, watching me with an amused glint in his eyes. “You know, you look incredibly beautiful when you’re eating.”I raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at my lips. “Is that so?” I teased. “Do you always compliment people while they’re stuffing their faces?”He shrugged, the corner of his mouth lifting in that way that made me melt. “Only when I’m looking at someone as stunning as you.”I felt a warm flush creep up my neck, but I wasn’t about to let him have the upper hand. “Well, I guess I’m just lucky, huh? Getting compliments while eating? That must be some kind of record.”Blaze’s grin widened, and I swear I saw a hint of mischief in his eyes. “Oh, trust me, you’ve

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